The relationship between gratitude and presenteeism among workers: a cross-sectional study

This study investigates the relationship between gratitude and presenteeism (working while unwell) among workers. Productivity loss due to health issues among workers is a critical problem. The largest portion of health-related costs comes from presenteeism, with mental disorders being the main contributors. Gratitude, as one of the positive psychological factors, might have a protective effect against presenteeism. This is because gratitude can reduce stress, increase support from others, improve the workplace atmosphere, and enhance self-efficacy. Therefore, we hypothesized that higher trait gratitude (individual differences in the tendency to feel gratitude) and higher frequency of gratitude expression would be associated with lower levels of presenteeism. In 2022, a cross-sectional study was conducted with workers in Tsukuba City. The outcome variable was the Single-item Presenteeism Question, which is an indicator of presenteeism. The explanatory variables included the Gratitude at Work Scale, a measure of trait gratitude in workplace, along with frequency of expressing gratitude. Multiple regression analysis was performed. The results showed that higher trait gratitude was associated with lower levels of presenteeism (standardized coefficient, -0.203; p < 0.001). Higher frequency of gratitude expression was associated with lower levels of presenteeism (standardized coefficient, -0.048; p = 0.016). The study confirmed that trait gratitude and frequency of gratitude expression were associated with presenteeism. However, it remains unclear whether gratitude directly reduces presenteeism, and further longitudinal studies are needed to explore this possibility.